Parking meter



June 17, 1958 L M ETAL 2,839,174

PARKING METER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 19, 1954 INVENTORS. ROBERT J. BALLMAN VV/LL/AM N./WOODRUFF ag i lfzfys.

June 17, 1958 R. J. BALLMAN ETAL 2,339,174

PARKING METER Filed April 19, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. I 1 g. .31.

AoBERT d. 5ALZMAA/ WILL/AM N. WOODRUFF BY Afzg/s.

June 17, 1958 R. J. BALLMAN ET AL 2,339,174

PARKING METER Filed April 19, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS. ROBERT J. BALLMAN United States Patent PARKING METER Robert J. Bellman, Springfield Township, Hamilton County, Ohio, and William N. Woodruif, Phoenix, Ariz., assignors to The Herschede Hall Clock Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application April 19, 1954, Serial No. 423,934

4 Claims. (Cl. 194-54) This invention relates to a parking meter. More particularly, this invention relates to improvements in the construction of a parking meter of the type described and claimed in the co-pending application of William N. Woodruff, Serial No. 207,774, filed January 25, 1951, now Patent No. 2,680,506, and which is owned by the assignee of the instant application.

An object of this invention is to provide a parking meter adapted to be operated by a oin of predetermined size and which is provided with mechanism for discharging oifsize coins.

A further object of this invention is to provide a coin chute for a parking meter having means for catching and holding a coin at a predetermined or sizing position, at which position the coin is measured for size and from which the coin is discharged if ofisize.

A further object of this invention is to provide a parking meter of this type in which a meter triggering memher is brought toward the coin when held in place at the sizing position, so that, if the coin is of proper size, the triggering mechanism is brought against the coin and is actuated thereby to initiate operation of the parking time mechanism.

A further object of this invention is to provide a timing mechanism for a meter of this type in which means are provided for readily changing the rate at which the meter timing mechanism operates to adjust the meter for use where varying parking rates are in force.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains, from the following detailed description, and the drawings, in which:

Figure l is a view in front elevation showing a parking meter constructed in accordance with an embodiment of this invention, part of the casing of the meter being broken away to reveal interior construction. a

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the mechanism of the parking meter illustrated in Fig. 1, the mechanism being shown removed from the casing, the index hands and one of the index dials of the meter being removed to reveal details of construction;

Fig 3 is a fragmentary View in front elevation of the mechanism, the mechanism being shown cocked and ready to begin an operative stroke of the mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view in back elevation of the mechanism, the mechanism being shown at rest with an undersized coin held in the mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in back elevation showing the position of the mechanism upon the insertion of another coin to cause the release of the undersized coin;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing details of construction of the coin discharging mechanism with a coin being discharged therefrom;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view in side elevation showing the coin ejector door closed;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view in front elevation showing coin-releasing means during operation of the meter, the.

mechanism being shown in an intermediate position;

2,839,174 Patented June 17, 1958 Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view in front elevation showing the coin-discharging mechanism in another and subsequent intermediate position, a coin-holding member being shown in coin-releasing position; 7

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view in side elevation showing gears of a governor mechanism;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a coin-holding member of the mechanism, the member being shown removed from the meter;

Fig. 12 is a view in section looking toward the clock mechanism of the parking meter, part of the casing of the clockwork being removed to show details of construction, the gears inside the casing being shown in dot lines;

Fig. 13 is a view in side elevation of the clock mechanism with the casing thereof removed;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the clock mechanism showing one arrangement of gears therefor;

Fig. 15 is a view in side elevation of the clock mechanism, with another arrangement of gears in use;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary view in section looking toward the clock mechanism showing another gear arrangement;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary schematic view showing the clutch and part of the gear arrangement of the clock; and

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a coin catch actuating member which is a part of the mechanism of the parking meter.

In the following detailed description and the drawings, like reference characters indicate like parts.

As shown in Fig. 1, the parking meter includes a housing 3t mounted on a post 31. The lower portion of the housing is provided with a door 32 which can be opened for removal of a coin box (not shown). The upper portion of the housing includes a window 34, only a portion of which is shown, through which a dial 36 and an index hand 37 can be observed. The index hand 38 (Figs. 1 and 2) index hand 37 is moved across the' dial 36 to a position such as that shown in Fig. 1. The angular distance the index hand is advanced is determined by the size of the coin inserted and the setting of the mechanism.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, coin slot 38 is provided with a gate 41 mounted to swing inwardly and upwardly in the slot. When a coin 42 is inserted in coin slot 38, the coin engages gate 41 and swings the gate to the position shown in Fig. 5. The gate is pivotally supported by a pin 43 on a saddle bell crank 44. As the coin is inserted in the slot, saddle bell crank 44 is swung upwardly to the Fig. 5 position. As crank 44 swings upwardly, it engages and raises a second saddle bell crank Crank 46 carries a drive pin 47 (Figs. 2 and 3). The pin 47 projects through a slot 48 in a drive link 49. When a coin is inserted in the coin slot and crank 46 is raised from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown member 51 is mounted on the drive link 49. The power pawl 50 is provided with a head member 52 which is mounted on pin 47. One end of a drive spring 53 is attached to the head member 52. When the pin 47 is raised to cause the pawl 50 to engage the stop 51, spring 53 is stressed in tension, thereby urging the power link 49 in a direction to rotate a governor drive segment 54 counterclockwise about a pivot pin 56, as shownflin Fig. 3.

. segment 54 is restrained by .a train of gears 57, 58, and 59 (see Fig. a toothed governor wheel 61 connected to the train of gears, and an oscillating memassembly 63 includes a-ipivotally mounted lever 64 having, a,lug,64 .formedintegrally therewith. A tension spring65 extending fromdug 64' to apawl 65' urges the pawl in a' clockwise direction around its pivot 66. When the leveris in the position shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 3, thegovernor wheel 61 is locked against counterclockwise rotation, but is free to turn in a clockwise direction.

When the drive :spring53 is stressed, as shown in Fig. ,3, and the governor lock assembly 63 is swung away from the governor wheel from the position shown in dotdashlines in Fig. 3 to the positionshown in full lines, as hereinafter described, the segment 54 can swing in a counterclockwise direction to the position shown in Fig. 8... The segment 54 is connected by a link 66:: to a pawl arm 66 which is rotatable on shaft 37a. 54 turns counterclockwise on shaft 56, the pawl arm 66 turns clockwise from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 8. A pawl 67 mounted on the pawl arm 66"is engageable with aratchet 67 secured to shaft 37a. The ratchet 67 turns with lever 37' so that asthe segment 54 turns counterclockwise, the ratchet 67 and lever. 37' (Fig. 8) swing clockwise with shaft 37a adistance .determinedby the setting of-the mechanism. As already pointed out, lever 37' carries index hand 37 (Fig. 1); therefore, the index hand swings clockwise by this operation to reveal a portionof index dial 36.

The time-measuring and setting mechanism is described and claimed in the aforementioned -Woodruff application, Serial Number 207,774 and will not be described in detail here. I e

,When-the segment '54 reaches the position shown in Fig. 8, the lower end of the power pawl 50 engages a screw 68 and is swung away from the stop 51 to release the drive link 49. from the power pawl 50. At this point, a spring68' returns the segment 54 to the position shown in Fig. 2. As shown, spring 68' is connected toone end of a link 69, the other end of which link is connected to pawl arm 66 Therefore, spring 68' actuates link 69, pawl arm 66 and link 66a upwardly as shown in Fig 8 and turns segment 54 clockwise to its normal position as shown in Fig. 2. During the return stroke of se wear plate 74 of the member 71. The coin falls from the slot 38into the coin chute after leaving the gate 41.

As the coin falls, it is caught by a coin-catching or stop member 76, as shown in Fig; 4 at 42c. Details of construction ofthe coin stop member are shown in Fig. 11.

The coin stop member 76 includes "a crank arm 77 and a coin-catching finger 78 secured one to the other. The

When segment turn rides in a slot 86:; of a catch release actuating mem:

ber 86. As shown in Fig. 18, the catch release actuating member 86 includes a central portion 86a, a bifurcated arm 86b and a coin-catching arm 86c. In addition, an angle-shaped guide member 86d is mounted on the member 86. The central portion of one arm of the guide member 86d is spaced from the central portionof the catch actuating member 86 by the slot 862. The hook member 83. is mounted .to slide through slot 86c, as

shown most clearlyin Fig. 2, and the hook memberhas a notched portion 83a which can engage the unslotted arm or catch portion 86g of guide member 86d. I As shown inFig. 3, the-member 86 is pivotally mounted on a pin 87 to swing in a plane parallel to hook member 83'. The bifurcations of arm 86b of the memer 86 fit on opposite sides of a pin 88. The pin 88 is mounted in the segment 54 so that, as the segment memberswings between the position shown in Fig. 3 and that shown in Fig. 8, the member 86 swings on its pivot pin 87.- The catch-operating hook member 83 is provided with the notch 83:: that is engaged by the catch portion 86g of the guide member 86d when the member 86 is tion indicatedat 42a in Fig. 3.

swung to the position shown in Fig. 8. The hook mem-,

ber 83' is urged to the engaged position of Fig. 8 by a spring 93. When the member '86 swings counter-clockwise on its return toward the position shown in Fig. 3, the hook member 83 is driven to the left to cause the coin stop member to swing out of 'the'coin chute to release the coin and permit the coin to fall to the posiis held by arm 86c of the member 86. As the member 86 swings counterclockwise, from the position shown in Fig. 8 to the position shown in Fig. 9, the point 94 of hook member 83' engages the unslotted arm 86g of the guide member 86d whereby the member 83"is raised and released from engagement with member 86d. When the hook member 83' is released, the spring 93 returns the hook member to its normal position as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

When a coin is inserted through the slot 38, the coin falls to the positionindicated at 420 in Fig. 4, and rests upon the stop finger 73. At the same time, openingof the gate causes a lug 97 (Fig. 3) to engage and swing a. trigger carrier 98 about a pivot 98', away from the slot 38. The trigger .carrier 98 carries a trigger member 99 which is pivotally mounted on the trigger carrier on a pivot 101. The lower end of the trigger member 99 carries a trigger actuator member 102, having a slotted memher 102 attached to the lower end thereof, in which an end portion of a coin engaging lever 103 rides. I The lower end of the lever 103 is pivotally mounted in the coin chute on a pivot 104 (see Fig. 3). 7

When the coin leaves the coin slot and gate, the coin falls to the position 42b (see Fig. 3) where it is held in A place on the coin stop member 76 while the trigger carcoin stop member 76 is pivotally mounted on a pivot 1 pin 81. As indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, the pivot pin 81 is mounted in lugs 82 and 82, which are mounted on front plate- 73. The coin stop member 76 can swing on its pivot pin81 between a position in which the finger 78 projects .crosswise of the coin chute as shown in Fig. '8 and a position in which the finger 78 is withdrawn from thecoin chute and the coin stop member is in the position shown in Fig. 9. V v I The mechanism 83 includes a catch operating hook member orcatch actuator bar 83 that ispivotally connected to the crank arm 77. The hook member 83 in rier 98 is returning to the right, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. A spring 106 (Fig. 2) urges the trigger carrier 98 to the right. The spring 106 is connected to. a lever 106a and urges that lever in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot 106b. The lever 106a is linked to trigger carrier 98 by an L-shaped link 1060 whereby spring 106 urges the trigger carrier 98 in a counterclockwise direction.

. of a trigger lever'108 which swings on a pivot 108. The trigger lever 108 in turn is linked by means ofa linking member 109 to the governor release lever 64 (see Fig.3).

In this position, the coin The pivotal connection between linking member 109 and lever 64 is indicated at 108". When the coin engaging member 103 (Figs. 3 and 4) engages the coin, the trigger member 99 swings in a counterclockwise direction as indicated in Fig. 4 and actuates the trigger lever 108 in a clockwise direction upon its pivot 108', thereby pulling the linking member 109 and the governor lever 64 to the right to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3 and releasing the governor wheel 61. When the governor wheel 61 is released, the segment 54 is also released, whereby one cycle of operation of segment 54 is effected. The cycle includes a swing of segment 54 in a counterclockwise direction from the Fig. 3 position to the Fig. 8 position followed by a return swing in a clockwise direction through the position shown in Fig. 9 to the normal position of Fig. 2. The swinging of the segment 54 causes operation of the timing mechanism of the parking meter through a single cycle. The angle of travel of the index hand 37 (Fig. 1) and member 37' (Figs. 2 and 8) is controlled by the setting of the mechanism and by the size of the coin inserted.

As shown in Fig. 5, the saddle bell crank 44 is provided with a shoulder portion 109a that is engageable with lug 107a on lever 108 to prevent swinging of that lever clockwise as long as saddle bell crank 44 is in its raised position. While in that position the governor lock is not released. When the saddle bell crank 44 is returned to the lowered position of Fig. 4, the lug 107a is released from shoulder 109a of bell crank 44 whereby lever 108 is released to swing a distance clockwise, sufficient to release the governor lock. When the governor lock is released, lug 19711 of lever 198 is disposed above a radial shoulder 1091) on saddle bell crank 44 to lock the saddle bell crank 44 in the lowered position while lock is released.

When the segment 54 swings to the position shown in Fig. 9, the coin catch member 76 is withdrawn from the coin chute, and the coin drops to the position 42a (see Fig. 3) where the coin is held by the coin-catching arm 86!: of member 36. Then on the next succeeding cycle of operation of the parking time mechanism, arm 86c swings clockwise as shown in Figs. 3 and 8 and releases the coin.

If an under size coin is inserted in the coin slot, the coin comes to rest on the coin stop finger 78 of coincatching member 76, but when the trigger operating coin engaging lever 163 is brought to the left toward the coin, as indicated in Fig. 4, the coin engaging lever 103 is not engaged by the coin; wherefore, the governor is not released. Since the segment 54 and timing mechanism of the meter are not actuated, the undersized coin remains at the position indicated in Fig. 4 at 42c. When the next succeeding coin is inserted through the coin Slot 38, a door 110 is opened, as indicated in Figs. 5 and 6, to discharge and reject the undersized coin. Door 110 is pivoted on a pin 110. As shown in Figs. 47 inclusive, the door member 113 normally closes an opening 112 in the rear plate 74. When the succeeding coin is inserted, saddle bell crank 44 swings upwardly as indicated in Fig. 5 to actuate a resilient member 113, which is pivotally attached to the saddle bell crank 44. As the saddle bell crank is swung upwardly member 113 is raised to open door 110. The lower end of the resilient member 113 extends through a slot 114 in a lug 116 which is integral with the door 110. As shown, the lower end of the resilient member 113 is provided with a return bend portion 117 which, because of its resiliency, firmly engages the edges of that slot frictionally and telescopically. Therefore, during the first part of the gate-opening motion, the member 113 opens the door 110 and releases the undersized coin from the position 420 (Fig. 4) to the position 42 (see Figs. 5 and 6) at which position the coin falls through the opening 112.

.1 6 As shown most'clearly in Fig. 6, acrank 119 is attached to and integrally formed with the door and swings therewith. The crank 119 receives one end of an arm 120 of a substantially U-shaped coin ejector member 121. The other arm 121a of the coin ejector member projects through an opening 122 in the front plate 73. When the door 110 is swung to the open position shown in Fig. 6, the arm 121a of the ejector member 121 is driven transversely of the coin chute to eject the undersized coin 42 from the chute through the coin discharge opening 112.

When the undersized coin 42 has been ejected, as shown in Fig. 5, the saddle bell crank 44 is drawn downwardly by a spring 124 to close the gate 41 and urge the succeeding coin 42 downwardly. As the gate closes and the saddle bell crank 44 is lowered, the resilient member 113 urges the lug 116 and the crank 119 in a clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 7, to close the door. The resilient member 113 and the slotted lug 116 telescope one within the other so that the door 110 closes quickly during the first part of the closing movement of the saddle bell crank 44. Therefore, the coin discharge door 110 is closed before the-succeeding coin reaches the door. As shown, the distance betwen the pivot 119 at the upper end of the resilient member 113 and the pivot 119" on which crank 44 swings, is greater than the distance between slot 114 and the door pin 110' so that the door opens during the initial portion of the opening movement of the gate and closes during the initial portion of the closing movement thereof and of the closing motion of the saddle bell crank 44.

When the index hand 37 has been advanced, as. to the position indicated in Fig. l, the index hand 37 is returned in a counterclockwise direction to normal or zero time-indicating position under the control of clockwork which is housed in a clock casing 131 (see Fig. 2). As shown in Fig. 12, the shaft 37a carries a segment gear 132 that meshes with the output pinion 134 of the clock. Shaft 37a and segment gear 132 are urged in counterclockwise direction by a spring 133. The index hand 37 (not shown in Fig. 12) is driven by shaft 37a. Gear 134 is mounted on a sleeve member 136 which carries a clutch ratchet 137 (see Fig. 17). The clutch ratchet in turn is engaged by a series of pawls 138 which permit the shaft 142a and gear 134 to turn freely in one direction as the index hand is advanced under the influence of the parking meter mechanism but prevent return of the gear 134 in the opposite or clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 12, except under the control of the clockwork.

The clockwork includes a main spring 139, a chain of gears indicated by dashed lines in Fig. 12, a gear shift 140, and an escapement 141.

The pawls 138 aremounted on a plate 142, mounted on a shaft 142a. The gear shift includes gear 142b mounted on and secured to shaft 142a. The gear 142!) and shaft 142a can slide together from one gear drive ratio position to another gear drive ratio position as shown in full lines and in dot-dash lines at 14211, respectively, in Fig. 13. Gear 142]) and plate 142 are connected by a pin 1420, which is mounted on gear 14% and slidable in an opening 142d in plate 142 so that gear 142!) and plate 142 turn together. The gear 142 is designed to mesh with either a gear 142e or with a pinion 143 thereby providing two ratio drives between the clock and the output pinion 134. The gear 142e is in the chain of gears of the clockwork, while pinion 143 is mounted on a shaft which also carries a gear 151, which is in the chain of gears. When the sliding gear 142 meshes with the gear 1422, the index hand may be advanced under control of the clockwork atone predetermined rate, while, when the sliding gear 142 meshes with the pinion 143, the index hand is returned at a different predetermined rate.

As shown in Figs. 12 and 16, the size of the segment gear 132 and clutch gear 134 may be varied to further adjust the speed at which the index hand is returned under'the eontrol of thecloclc. Asshown in Fig. 12; the segment gear 132 may be relatively large, while the tuted for the shaft 150. Shaft 150- carries a small gear 1 151' and a relatively large pinion 143'.

hand, as shown in Fig 14, shaft 150" may be sub-- On the other stituted which carries a larger gear 14Gb" and'a relatively small pinion 143". i

fAs shown in Figs. 12 to 15 inclusive, the gears of the chain of gears are mounted between two frame plates 152 and 152a. relation by a plurality 'of spacer'members 152k. As shown in Fig. 12, front frame plate 152 of the clockwork is provided with a slot 153 having a plurality of shaft-locating enlargements 154, 154:: and 154b. Each of the enlargementsof the slot is adapted to receive the head of a screw 155. As shown in Fig. 13, the screw 155 isadapted to engage and hold one end of shaft 150. Screw 155 extends through the slot 153 (Fig. 12) andengages a plate 156 (Fig. 13) to which the screw is threaded. As will be understood, the head of screw 155 may be disposed in any selected enlargement o'f 'slot 153 to properly position the selected shaft. A bearing (not shown) in rear frame plate 152a opposite each of the enlargements is provided for receiving the rear end of shaft 150 or of the shaft substituted therefor.

, Alarge' number of rates of index hand return speed are available by the change of the gear shaft 150, by change of relative size of the segment 132 and the gear 134, and by shifting of shaft 142a and of the gear 142b so that a single meter may be readily changed or adjusted to permit operation at any of a large number of predetermined and selected speeds.

The parking meter illustrated in the drawings and described above is subject to structural modification without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire" to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A parking meter which comprises a hollow frame member having a downwardly extending coin chute therein, there being an entry opening at the upper end of the coin chute, a coin discharge opening at the lower end of the chute, and an ejector opening in the side of the frame member therebetween, a gate for closing the coin entry opening, a coin ejector door for closing the coin ejector opening, means for urging'said gate to chute closing position, the gate being swingable'away from the coin entry opening when engaged bya coin, a coin-holding member in said chute for'holding the coin in a position opposite the door,'a trigger carrier linked to the gate to swingaway from and toward the coinchute as the gate is opened and closed, a trigger member carried by the trigger .carrier'and swinging therewith out of and into thecoin chute .as the gate opens and closes, said trigger member being engageable by a coin of predetermined size at .said position to arrest free swinging of the trigger member into the coin chute, time registering mechanism connected to said trigger to be actuated when the trigger is brought-against a coin of the predetermined size, means connected to said time registering mechanism for swinging the coin-holding member away from coin-holding position when the mechanism is actuated to release The frame plates are held in spaced parallel 8 the coin, and a link connecting the gate and thedoor to cause the gateand door to open and close together, whereby,-when an offsize coin is inserted through the coin receiving opening, the offsize coin is held by the coin-holding member until an additional coin is inserted, and the offsize coin is released through the ejector opening when the additional coin is inserted.

2. A parking meter in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that the link includes a pair of frictionally engaging telescoping members, and that the gate end of the link is spaced from the gate'pivot a greater distance than the space between the door pivot and the door end of the link, whereby the door opens duringthe initial portion of the opening movement ofthe gate and the door closes during the; initial portion of the closing movement of the gate, and the offsize coin is discharged during the initial portion of the opening of the gate and the door is closed before the additional coin can reach the coin-holding member. I 7 v 3. A parking meter in accordance with claim 1 characterized by the fact that acoin-ejecting member is connected to the door, that the coin-ejecting member is mounted for reciprocation transversely of the coin chute, and that the coin-ejecting member is engageable with an offsize coin on the coin-holding member to push the off- 4. A coin-operated device which comprises a hollow frame member having a downwardly extending coin chute therein, there being an entry opening in the'upper end of the coin chute, a coin discharge opening at the lower end of the coin chute, and an ejector opening in the side of the frame member therebetween, a gate for closing the coin entry opening, a coin ejector door for closing the coin ejector opening, means for urging the gate to chute closing position, the gate being swingable away from the coin entry opening when engaged by a coin, a coin-holding member in said chute for holding the coin in a position opposite the door,'a trigger carrierlinked to the gate to swing away from and toward the coin chute as the gate is opened and closed, a trigger member carried by the trigger carrier and swingable therewith out of and into the coin chute as the gate opens and closes, said trigger member being engageable by a coin ofpredetermined size at said position to arrest free swinging of the trigger memberinto the coin chute, registering mechanism connected to said trigger to be actuated when the trigger is brought against a coin of predetermined size, means connected to said registering mechanism for moving the coin-holding member away from coin-holding 7 position when the mechanism is actuated to release the I coin, and means linking the gate and the door to cause the gate and door to open and close together, whereby, when an otfsize coin is inserted through the coin-receiving opening, the offsize coin is held by the coin-holding member until an additional coin is inserted, and the offsize coin is released through the coin ejector opening when the additional coin is inserted.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

